Organization Works to Bring French in Vermilion Parish Back to Life

A newly formed non-profit organization, Les Amis du Français en Vermillon (Friends of French in Vermilion), is dedicating itself to the promotion and preservation of the French language and culture in Vermilion Parish and to the continued success of the Vermilion Parish French Immersion Program. The organization, under the direction of Layla Melancon, a local resident and parent of a French Immersion student, will promote all things dealing with the Francophone cultures in Vermilion Parish, and in turn, provide support for immersion learning in Vermilion Parish.
“Les Amis du Français en Vermillon, along with its’ partners, members and volunteers, will work diligently to bring French in Vermilion Parish back to life,” expressed Mrs. Melancon. “Becoming a part of this organization is an excellent way for the community to stay informed and get involved in this effort,” continued Melancon. “In doing so, they will also be a part of building a French Immersion program that insures Vermilion Parish students with a bilingual education. By joining, they will be supporting our students in reconnecting to a key part of their hometown’s history.”
Passionate about her strong French heritage and sincere love of the French language, Mrs. Melancon did extensive research and discovered that Vermilion Parish, an area rich in Cajun and Creole history, is one of the top three Louisiana parishes with the highest percentage of French speakers. More specifically, she found that 22% of the overall population of the Erath community are native French speakers. In Kaplan it is 19% and in Abbeville it is 8%. These statistics provide evidence of how many residents in Vermilion Parish utilize their French daily, not only in the home, but throughout the community.
“The French language can be heard regularly at our grocery stores, gas stations, schools, churches, restaurants, tourist attractions, community events and numerous other places,” said Mrs. Melancon. “The French heritage and deep-rooted culture that exists within our communities represents the importance of preserving the French language and culture in Vermilion Parish, and identifies a need to promote and preserve the continued success of our French Immersion program.”
A significant partner with the organization is the world-renowned Acadian Museum of Erath, led by Mr. Warren Perrin. “Mr. Perrin, a well-known author and past president of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), has been extremely supportive in the creation of Les Amis du Français en Vermillon,” shared Mrs. Melancon. “His love of the French language and Acadian history, heritage and culture, is truly an inspiration to me and to our organization.”
“The Acadian Museum, a member of the Acadian Heritage and Cultural Foundation, Inc., was founded in 1990 to promote awareness and appreciation of the mixed Prairie/Bayou Acadian culture of Vermilion Parish,” shared Mr. Perrin. “The museum preserves and displays material traces of the 400-year history of our region going back to Acadia and France,” continued Perrin. “As part of our 31st anniversary, we will proudly add Les Amis du Français en Vermillon as a new member of our foundation.”
One of the first efforts by Les Amis du Français en Vermillon to keep the area ties to its’ French culture alive, is the upcoming La Table Française, a weekly French table discussion group beginning Friday, June 25th, at Café Erath, at 10:00am. Not only will the French table provide a place to share the French language, but also the stories of the communities’ strong French culture and the days when the French language and ways were a part of everyday life.
Les Amis du Français en Vermillon invites parents, local and state officials, community members, schools, businesses and cultural, historical and tourism organizations to join in supporting the preservation of the French language and culture in Vermilion Parish.
“There is a small $10 annual membership fee to join Les Amis du Français en Vermillon,” stated Mrs. Melancon. “Through volunteer work and tax-deductible membership fees and contributions, supporters will help our organization tremendously, which in turn, is able to provide support for immersion learning in Vermilion Parish,” expressed Melancon. “A few examples include providing support for French Immersion teachers to purchase additional school materials, providing enrichment opportunities for students, and providing students with cultural learning experiences and opportunities to engage with the heritage of our communities.”
By becoming a part of Les Amis du Français en Vermillon, members will receive updates about activities and events going on throughout the year that promote all things dealing with the Francophone cultures in Vermilion Parish. A membership also provides individuals with information related to the ongoing success of the Vermilion Parish French Immersion program and ways they can get involved to support these efforts.
Only through donations and volunteer work, can the Acadian Museum and its partners continue their mission of keeping the Francophone culture alive. Supporters can donate online by visiting the museum website at acadianmuseum.com, and clicking on the “Donate” button, or by sending a check to: The Acadian Museum, P.O. Box 53597, Lafayette, LA 70505. If donors want to support a specific organization or project, they should indicate it in the NOTES section. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so all contributions are tax-deductible.
For more information on becoming a member of Les Amis du Français en Vermillon, please email:
Layla Melancon
Director, Les Amis du Français en Vermillon
vermilionfrench@gmail.com
For those interested in staying connected, Les Amis du Français en Vermillon will be launching its Facebook page in July, so be on the lookout!